Melvyn Bragg's definitive history and cultural analysis of the King James Bible.
Part 1: The history of how it came into being. Earlier translations (Wycliffe and Tyndalein English, and Luther in German), opposition to, destruction of copies, accession of James I, commissioning of the translation, how it was done, effect on political and social structure, English Civil War.
Part Two: Its lasting and pervasive influence on English language and literature, with many phrases and stories achieving proverbial status.
Part Three: Takes up the story again and takes in the American civil war, slavery, philanthropy, missionary activity.
